Anderson County Disaster Risk
Anderson County, Texas
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
74th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#71
of 254 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
70th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 73% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Anderson County, Texas
Anderson's risk exceeds national average
Anderson County scores 73.63 on the composite risk scale, well above the national average and placing it in the relatively low risk category for Texas. This score reflects meaningful exposure to multiple hazard types that residents should understand and prepare for.
Higher risk within Texas counties
Anderson ranks significantly above Texas's state average composite risk score of 49.00, putting it in the upper tier of Texas counties for natural disaster exposure. The county faces notably elevated hazard risks compared to most of its state peers.
Riskier than surrounding counties
Anderson's 73.63 composite score exceeds nearby counties like Angelina (71.82) and other neighboring regions, making it one of the more hazard-exposed areas in East Texas. Residents here face somewhat greater exposure than those in immediately adjacent counties.
Tornadoes and wildfires dominate
Tornado risk reaches 92.33 in Anderson County—exceptionally high and the dominant threat—while wildfire risk scores 78.18, making these two hazards your primary concerns. Flood risk (69.69) and hurricane risk (73.38) also merit preparation, though they rank below tornado exposure.
Secure comprehensive disaster coverage
Given tornado exposure of 92.33 and wildfire risk of 78.18, standard homeowners policies often exclude these hazards; verify your coverage includes wind and fire protection. Consider a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program, especially if you're in a flood-prone area near creeks or low-lying zones.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Anderson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Anderson County
Risk Verdict
Anderson County ranks at the 74th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Anderson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (73th percentile), flood (70th percentile), earthquake (40th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Anderson County ranks at the 92th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Anderson County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Alongside tornado exposure, wildfire at the 78th percentile nationally means Anderson County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Anderson County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.
Regional Context
Compared to other Texas counties, Anderson County runs 24.6 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Anderson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Anderson County, TX?
What types of natural hazards affect Anderson County?
How does Anderson County risk compare to the Texas average?
Is Anderson County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Anderson County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.